Thursday, January 23, 2014

If you've been on a brewery tour at Smuttynose, then you know that we collect donations for non-profits instead of charging a fee for tours.

We poll our staff for organizations and causes that they care about and then rotate them through on the quarterly basis. It's an easy way to help out some worthy organizations while doing something that would be taking place already; it's really a no-brainer.

The tour staff is pleased to announce that we were able to raise over $9000 for these eight non-profit organizations in 2013:

A Safe Place- Domestic violence prevention in Strafford and Rockingham CountiesFriends of Mount Washington Avalanche Center- Supporting avalanche safety on Mount WashingtonChild Voice International- Facilitates the rehabilitation of child war victimsPints for Prostates- Raising awareness of prostate health through the medium of beerBig Brothers, Big Sisters of the Greater Seacoast- Mentorships for at risk children in the Greater SeacoastThe New England Fall Astronomy Festival- Public outreach and promotion of astronomyThe Pontine Theatre- presenting actor-driven theatre in Portsmouth's West End for nearly four decadesPine Tree Council Boy Scout Troop 388's trip to Sea Base

On behalf of the above organizations, Smuttynose thanks all of you who have done good while drinking well on a brewery tour.

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

The first quarter if 2014 is destined to be a busy time for Smuttynose. We're getting our new production facility up and running, redoing all our packaging for the new equipment, populating a new website and getting all these new beers ready to go. The schedule is pretty busy, but we believe these beers are worth all the work

2014 Imperial Stout bottles are available now at Smuttynose and should be hitting stores beginning this week. This year's version is quite drinkable out of the gate, but will improve with some time in a cool, dry basement.

Friday, January 31 we'll be releasing 2014's Noonan Black IPA at Smuttynose, while shipments to wholesalers begin February 3, regardless of whether or not the groundhog sees his shadow. They'll retail at our standard six pack price.

The second test brew
of Bouncy House debuts at Smuttynose on Friday, February 14 at 4:30pm. Like the first release, bottles are $3 for 22 ounces. Shipments begin the following Monday. We don't have the final details on this version yet, but we'll post here once they're finalized.

Monday, February 17 is the first day of shipments for 2014 Smuttynose Wheat Wine. Our Big Beer Series Subscribers members-only release social at Smuttynose on Saturday, February 22.

Friday, March 7, brings another Smuttlabs bottle release; Apple Brandy Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout bottles will be available at the brewery beginning at 4:30pm. There are only two oak barrels of this beer in existence and we will be shipping limited amounts to the trade, so supplies will be very limited. The 375ml, crown-finished bottles will are priced at $14 each.

As always each wholesaler's order and delivery schedule determines when a particular beer will hit the shelves and taps in a particular market. We do our best for timely delivery.

Smuttynose Logo

Upcoming Beer Releases

These dates show when we expect to release these beers at our Smerch Store. Shipments to our distribution partners will coincide with their order cycles, so you'll see new releases a little bit after the dates you see below.

Pumpkin Ale - August

Smuttlabs: Brett & I - Shipping Now!

Big Beer Series: Tripel (brand new release!) August 16

Smuttlabs: Schmutzig - August 23

Now and Then Series: Cluster's Last Stand - (Stone Collaboration) August 30

Winter Ale - October 15

Smuttlabs: Oak-Aged Tripel - TBD

Smuttlabs: Strawberry Short Weisse - Fall 2014

Smuttlabs: White IPA - TBD

Big Beer Series: S'muttonator (double bock) - November

Full Time: Baltic Porter - 12oz Four Pack, Fall 2014

Full Time: Really Old Brown Dog - 12oz Four Pack, Fall 2014

Durty (we promise to brew more) - December 13

The Smuttynose Big Beer Series

Since 1998, Smuttynose Brewing has offered its Big Beer Series, specialty beers released seasonally in very limited quantities. Although some styles appear every year, others get dropped or added to the lineup, or simply take a sabbatical for a year or two. Adding to the free-form nature of this series, our brewers are encouraged to tweak, change and experiment with recipes from one year to the next, so that one year's edition may be subtly or dramatically different from the next (or it may be exactly the same).

Since 2002, our Executive Brewer, David Yarrington, has contributed notes on each new edition of the Series, as well as on other seasonal beers, such as our Pumpkin Ale. Sometimes the notes are extensive; sometimes, if little or no changes have been made to the previous year's edition, they will be brief.

By the way, all Smuttynose Big Beers are bottle conditioned and will age quite nicely if stored properly. Starting in 2005, we've "vintage" dated our Big Beer labels to help you keep your cellar organized.

Smuttlabs

“How many things are we upon the brink of discovering if cowardice or carelessness did not restrain our inquiries?” -Mary Shelley

We’re very proud of each of our Smuttynose beers, but our brewing staff has many ideas that can’t be done on a large scale; this is where Smuttlabs comes into play. From barrel-aging and beer souring to culinary collaborations and special projects that just don’t fit anywhere else, if a project is out of the ordinary, unique or time consuming, you can bet it’ll bear the Smuttlabs name.

In 2007, we began these experimental brewings, with a beer called “The Gnome” (which became Homunculus in the Big Beer Series), under the Short Batch Series name. As we’ve increased production and volumes of these eccentric beers, we’ve rechristened them “Smuttlabs,” to reflect the creative experimentation found in each batch.

Smuttlabs releases seek to bridge the gap between “rare” and “hard to find.” Brewing on these terms, success can take different forms. Some releases may have semi-regular production and others may never see a mash tun again. There will constantly be Smuttlabs beers in all phases of production from conception, to brewing and fermentation to aging and packaging.

We’ll announce Smuttlabs beers here on our blog, through social media as well as our website. We know you’ll have just as much fun seeking them out and drinking them as we do brewing them.